Issa Rae – Danii Gold

6 Facts About HBO’s Rap Sh!t Season 1

September 7, 2022September 7, 2022Danii Gold

HBO’s new show Rap Sh!t is a bop! It’s about two women with different personalities trying to make it as respectable rappers in Miami, Florida. The show was created by actress, producer, Golden Globe nominee & Emmy nominee, NAACP winner AND Insecure creator Issa Rae. (I had to give sis her flowers).

Here are some facts about the show:

1. The City Girls Are Co-Executive Producers

Rap Sh!t is loosely based on the lives of City Girls JT and Yung Miami. Being that the show is inspired by them, they are listed as co-executive producers on it, as well as their managers.

2. Mia is an artist in real life

Mia, played by KaMillion, is a Florida rapper in real life and goes by the name KaMillion

3. Duke is a St. Louis native

Duke, played by Jonica Booth is from Da Lou, woot woot! She is also know for starring season 12 of Bad Girls Club

4. Jay Ellis directed Episode 10 “Something For the Road“

Jay Ellis, who plays Lawrence in the show Insecure directed the last episode of the first season.

5. Recurring Insecure Characters

Issa blessed us with two rememberable characters from the Insecure series, Dro and Tasha. Dro, play by Sarunas Jackson, was Mollys side dude and married friend. Tasha, played by Dominique Perry, was Lawrence’s first fling after him and Issa broke up. In Rap Sh!t, she plays Mia’s shady friend who doesn’t like Shawna at all because she’s different; she has a semi-recurring role. Sarunas only appeared in the first episode for 2 minutes.

Fun Fact, Dominique and Sarunas have a beauty baby girl together in real life!

6. Shawna READ the Industry

Shawna, played by Aida Oscan, was a conscious rapper but in order to “win” she dummied down her raps and appearance to her seen in the industry.

In episode 3, when her and Mia were talking at the bar of the Plymouth hotel, she explained that there’s a formula when you’re a female artist in the industry, which get your body done, make a song about it, then people will start caring about your music. She added that everyone looks the same and every female rapper’s success is tied to a man that wants to have sex with them. She brought up the point that Biggie made Lil Kim his side chick then tossed her; then Big Fendi did it to Nicki.

I’m hoping this gets picked up for a second season because it shows the perspective of a female artist trying to come up in the industry.

What did y’all think of the show?

Comment and let me know.

Insecure Season 4 Review

June 17, 2020November 9, 2020Danii Gold

Issa Rae and writers of Insecure never disappoint when it comes to the show. This season did start off slow with the developing friendship between Condola and Issa, Molly’s new relationship with Andrew and more, Nathan coming back in the picture and more.

Insecure' Finale Recap: Season 4, Episode 10 — [Spoiler] Pregnant ... — tvline.com

At the start of the season Issa is focusing on putting together a block party, and that requires a lot of time and effort. Molly, being the selfish person that she is, not only got jealous of Issa’s new friendship with Condola but also the less amount of time that she was spending with her [Molly]. In the midst of all that, Molly’s new relationship is getting serious but as always, she finds a way to make herself look selfish. One of the most intense episodes of the season is when Issa and Molly have a huge fight about Issa “neglecting” their relationship AND for Issa inadvertently asking for Andrew’s help with talent at her block party.

Insecure' Season 4, Episode 4: "Lowkey Losin' It" — RECAP — blackgirlnerds.com

It seemed like they [Issa’s and Molly] needed to communicate a little more and even give themselves a break from each other. Molly needed time to focus on her relationship and Issa on her event. It seems like Molly makes everything about her and takes everything very personal, like the Thanksgiving episode when Issa didn’t come to her parents house but Issa kept in the loop about her not coming. Molly also showed her TRUE hating side when she didn’t want to ask Andrew for help with Issa’s block party. Andrew seen the hate but, by default he had to chose Molly’s side and shut up but in private, he told her about herself. Of course, Issa was the bigger person and reached out to Molly to meet up, talk and break the ice. There was an awkward moment in the midst of that where Molly seemed like she was forcing the mending of their friendship and Issa found out and decided to let it go and let them be–apart; BUT in the last episode at the very end, they met up to talk.

All of the Music Played During 'Insecure' Season 4 | Complex — complex.com

Let’s talk about how Tiffany was going through postpartum depression and there was baby steps leading up to the big scare such as her being nonchalant weeks after the baby was born, then being completely carefree at the block party and not wanting to even check on her sick daughter but instead wanted to continue having fun. Then, she went completely MIA for a day and a half. When mama needs a break, she needs a break!

Insecure: Season 4 Episode 10 "Lowkey Lost" (Season Finale ... — whereever-i-look.com

At last– Issa and Lawrence rekindling the flame! I loved how they established a common ground on things when he was dating Condola. Eventually they got their friendship back and then spoke on their feelings and details about their breakup. Of course, Lawrence and Condola broke up (THANK GOD) and Issa and Lawrence were able to relive their relationship for days, probably weeks, even though Lawrence accepted a job in San Francisco. Issa being the optimistic person that she is, decided that they’ll make it work with distance or even her moving there with him. Then, all of a sudden Condola comes back in the picture to announce that she’s pregnant.

I was part of the hive that wanted to see Issa and Lawrence back together. She suffered enough from feeling guilty about cheating on him and Lawrence finally got his life together and explored the dating scene ( A LOT). Condola didn’t want a baby and barely her marriage BUT she wants a baby by her ex [Lawrence] whom she was only with for a few months. That makes no sense BUT in a perspective view, Condola feels like she is at the age where she wants to have children.

We ALL were rooting for Issa and Lawrence but Canola Oil- Condeleeza-Coronavirus CONDOLA just had to mess up they reunion. The question is what will happen in season 5? Will Molly and Issa remain cool? Will Tiffany seek therapy for her postpartum depression or just weigh it out? Lastly, Will Issa and Lawrence relationship last with a baby on the way??? W shall find out!

LASTLY Lastly, Kelli is the shit and one of the best characters. She has some of the best lines in the show, from her acting like a british lady, to being serious AF when looking for Tiffany. Kelli is DOPE AF!

“The Photograph”: Generational Behavior

March 2, 2020March 16, 2020Danii Gold

Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield starred in the romantic comedy The Photograph and it was a beautiful love story, but with a deeper meaning.

Mae, played by Issa Rae, lost her mother at the start of the movie. She didn’t know much about her mom’s life until she left her a letter explaining things. Mae’s mother Christina was invested in her work and less into love and emotion. She didn’t show much emotion around Mae and in her defense….it was because her mother didn’t show her much love.

When Christina, played by Chante Adams, was dating Mae’s father Issac, played by Y’lan Noel, her mother discouraged her from dating him because he was content where he was in life and wasn’t making much money. Her mother gave her the impression that she needed to be with someone who could take care of her…so she could move out the house. Christina’s mother told her she was getting too old to be living with her. That is what pushed her to move out the house, better yet the state and pursue her photography career in New York. Christina’s mother lacked emotion with her and felt that being taken care was more important than love.

Image result for the photograph — thephotographmovie.com

Once Christina had Mae, of course she’s going to teach her daughter what was mimicked to her, which is how to NOT properly love someone and somewhat be scared of commitment. Since Mae wasn’t shown much love as a kid, the feeling of commitment scared her. Mae said she broke up with a guy because he proposed to her. She is/was more content with living in the moment and not being married. She had a change of heart eventually once she got to know Michael, played by LaKeith Stanfield. He and Mae connected when was doing a story on a man who worked in the oil industry during the oil spill and he came across pictures shot by Mae’s mother and even a picture of her. The guy used to date Mae’s mother Christina. Michael was intrigued by Christina’s photos that he decided to find more of her images, and when he did, that’s how he met Mae.

Image result for the photograph movie christina — thewrap.com

When Christina passed away, she left Mae a long letter and another to give to her father. Mae learned so much about her mother in a letter, than she learned about her her whole life. In the letter, she found out who her real father was and their love story. The man whom she thought was her father, wasn’t and the man who is her father was the man whom Michael did a story on, Isaac– hence, the reason why he had a picture of Christina in his home. Unfortunately, Isaac didn’t know that Mae was his daughter but they started to form a relationship towards the end of the movie. Christina had left her hometown in Louisiana to pursue a career in photography in New York. She left without telling Isaac and months later when she returned for her mother’s funeral, Issac had married someone else (HOW QUICK IS THAT!)

Where the generational behavior comes into play is the fact that Christina’s mother didn’t really seem affectionate with Mae and showed her tough love. Don’t get me wrong, tough love is fine but when it’s more tough love than affectionate love, that can have a long term affect on you and how you raise your children. Christina lacked some form of emotion when it came to her relationship with Mae, due to the way her mother was with her. Mae recalled a time when she was going away to school and her mom was too busy to take her to the airport. Mae’s step father told her that when he came home from dropping her off at the airport, Mae was crying in a corner because she was sad to see Mae go but she had a hard time showing emotion and was not good at goodbyes. Her mother was also a workaholic and expressed in her letter to Mae, “I wish I was as good at love than I am about working;” meaning, her mother was more into her work than she was with being present and transparent in her relationships with people such as Mae and even Isaac.

Image result for the photograph movie christina and mae — where-i-look.com

Luckily Mae learned from her mother’s mishaps in relationships and decided to break the generational disconnect of loving someone and showing it with Michael. This movie is a prime example of “be who you want your children to be.” Tell them to learn from you mistakes and show them how. Leaving your child lost and left with question is not the way to go. Don’t hold back, show them love, be transparent with them.

What are your thoughts on the movie?

Comment below and let me know.

Women’s Month: Issa Rae Appreciation

March 29, 2019April 9, 2019Danii Gold

How could you NOT love Issa. She’s the same person, (it seems) around her friends, in interviews and on her show. Like she’s well-rounded AF! More recently, landed the cover of Women’s Health Magazine

Image result for issa rae women's health magazine — bellanaija.com

And Essence SOLO! The first appearance was with Ava Duvernay, Debbie Allen and other notable women.

Image result for issa rae essence cover — hellobeautiful.com

She’s also dope because she wrote a book being her transparent self.

Image result for issa rae book — Amazon.com

Her show Insecure being picked up by HBO, revealing millennial women issues such as being independent, having a dating life, dealing with a break up, as well as different types of guys. Her show also portrays a woman (herself) cheating on her boyfriend because he just wasn’t doing enough. (It happens)

She is so authentic that you got to love her, especially since she’s “rooting for everybody black.”

Issa has a new movie called “Little” featuring Marsai Martin and Regina Hall, that comes out next month.

She is also starring in a Will Packer film with Lakeith Stanfield called “The Photograph” that is bound to come out later this year.

All in all, Issa Rae is the shit and we should appreciate her more!

Danii Gold out! ✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾

featured image” pagesix.com

2018 Emmys Fashion

September 18, 2018Danii Gold

The Emmys came on last night and even though they were slightly boring…the fashion was a must-see.

Tiffany Haddish was my favorite look of the night. Rocking a colorful sleeveless dress, that she said was dedicated to her family.

Speaking of color, Regina Hall rocked a lime green strapless dress. Somehow, she made this look so elegant!

Someone else who rocked a some color, but it was subtle, was Issa Rae. She rocked a powder blue jumpsuit with a cape on it. Yasss Issa Yasss!

Heidi Klum rocked an elegant satin pink strapless fitted gown. It was soooooo pretty y’all!

Auntie Jenifer Lewis wore ALL Nike, in support of them (Nike) supporting Colin Kaepernick, who spoke up about police brutality. GO Auntie Jen for making a statement.

Y’all probably remember Rocsi Diaz from 106 & Park and Entertainment Tonight. Well she wore sleeveless off white and gold dress with a bow on the front. Cuteee! (I’m not sure what she is doing now)

Yvonne Orji is rocking a black gown that see-through at the top and it drapes on the ground. Her hair screams el’naturale! Gon head Yvonne!

Who was your favorite look?

Danii Gold out!!

featured image: lovebscott.com

Black Women That Rock 2017

August 23, 2017Danii Gold

So I caught the Black Girls Rock special last night and I was so proud! Seeing women that look like me achieve a rare accomplishment, especially from where we started. Their motto is “Celebrating beauty, brilliant and resilience of black women around the world.”

My celeb bae, SZA, started the show out singing Normal Girl, which is one of my favorite songs on the CTRL album.

Gify.com credit

CelebMafia.com Credit

Then one of my favorite actor/actress Taraji P Henson was the host and started off with a few jokes about hair and how she embraces it and is brave about what she does with. She recently just chopped it off and it looks LOVELY on her!

Taraji Henson--kissdetroit gif — KissDetroit.com credit

The first award of the night was presented to Yara Shahidi, for the “Young, Black and Gifted.” She is one of the main characters on the show Black-ish, and she recently got a spin-off show called Grown-ish that explores her college life. Coincidentally, she is starting college at Harvard in the Fall of 2018. GO YARA!!!!

Yara Shahidi BGR gif — hellobeautiful.com credit

A woman, whom I wasn’t familiar with, name Suzanne Shanks was presented with the Shot Caller award for her work on Wall Street, financing infrastructure projects. She is the CEO of Siebert Branford Shanks & Co, LLC AND CEO of Siebert Financial Corporation. She is the first black woman to lead a publicly traded financial institution. KUDOS to Ms. Suzanne!!!!

Suzanne Shank--KKOL cred — KKOL.com credit

The creator and star of one of my favorite shows Insecure, Issa Rae was presented with the Star Power awards, for her excellent work on Insecure and making it one of the main topics on a Sunday night.

ISSA RA EBlack+Girls+Rock+2017+Show+WMZRaaDcIizx — Zimbio.com credit

Lastly, AUNTIE Maxine Waters took the cake with her speech and overall using her platform to be speak up about this “President” of ours.

Here are a few quotes she said last night:

“I am you and you are me. We have power & influence”

“Not only will we resist you but we will impeach you, Mr. President.”

“I don’t care how big you think you are. I care how high you think you are…if you come for me, I’m coming for you!”

gifuniverse.com credit

hellobeautiful.com credit

YES MA’AM AUNTIE MAXINE!! She says she is reclaiming her time hunny and I aint mad at her!!

ALL of these Black Women Rock!!! Watching these awards gave me a slight boost of confidence and made me realize.. don’t be afraid to be different, being awkward is okay, think for yourself and lastly SPEAK UP!!